Athlone teenage golfer represents Ireland in Home Internationals
Talented young Athlone golfer Charlie Kelly is representing Ireland in the Boys Home Internationals in Scotland this week.
Charlie was selected for the Home Internationals after finishing second on the Boys Order of Merit. The 17-year-old started playing golf from a young age at Athlone Golf Club, where he is a still a member. He is also a member of Glasson GC and Roganstown GC in Dublin, with his handicap attached to the Swords-based club.
The Home Internationals - with the Ireland team competing against England, Scotland and Wales - started yesterday (Tuesday) and will continue until tomorrow (Thursday), August 4. The competition consists of foursomes and singles games.
The Boys and Girls Home Internationals are taking place in Downfield Golf Club near Dundee. Downfield is located between Carnoustie and St Andrews in Scotland and is regarded as one of the finest parkland courses in the UK.
Tom Cafferky (Ballinasloe) is also part of the Ireland boys' squad for the Home Internationals, while Oliva Costello (Roscommon GC) is on the Ireland girls' squad.
Last year, Kelly was part of the Roganstown Golf Club team that won the Senior Cup, a very prestigious trophy in amateur golf. He was also on the team which won the Fred Daly (U-18) trophy last year.
Athlone Golf Club congratulated Charlie on his selection for the Home Internationals and wished him well in advance of the event.
Kelly represented Connacht in the Underage Interprovincials recently and, last year, he helped Connacht to win the U-18 boys interpro title for the first time in 20 years.
Charlie is coached by the highly rated Geoff Loughrey, who also coaches recently crowned South of Ireland champion Hugh Foley.
From Summerhill in Athlone, Charlie is a son of Deirdre and Damien Kelly, and he has one brother, Andrew.
Both Damien and Deirdre are well known in Athlone business circles, with Damien the managing director of insurance and investments firm Planalife, while Deirdre runs the bridal wear business, Kadee.
Interestingly, renowned local golfer Colm Moriarty is Charlie's godfather. During his career Moriarty claimed wins on the Challenge Tour and the PGA EuroPro Tour. Damien assisted Moriarty as a caddy for a number of years and he describes Colm as a good mentor for Charlie.
"Colm is a big advocate for Charlie travelling to play in different courses and in different events to build up his experience," said Damien.
A student at Athlone Community College, Charlie will be going into his Leaving Cert year after the summer holidays.
The Ireland squads (boys and girls) for the Home Internationals are listed below.
Ireland Boys squad: Aodhagan Brady (Co. Sligo), Tom Cafferky (Ballinasloe), Fionn Dobbin (Malone), Darcy Hogg (Belvoir Park), Sean Keeling (Roganstown), Charlie Kelly (Athlone/Roganstown), Alex King (Faithlegg), Jack Murphy (Douglas), Gavin O'Neill (Malahide). Team captain: Peter English (Limerick). Team coach: Stephen Hood.
Ireland Girls squad: Anna Abom (Edmondstown), Olivia Costello (Roscommon), Emma Fleming (Elm Park), Rebekah Gardner (Clandeboye), Marina Joyce-Moreno (Club de Golf Llavaneras), Katie Poots (Knock), Róisín Scanlon (Woburn). Team captain: Kate Gallagher (Castle). Team coach: Chris Jelly.
Team Manager for the Boys and Girls teams: Brenda Craig (Roganstown).